There are new rules in place for students when it comes to vaccinations, and they’ll go into effect next school year.
The State Department of Health has mandated these regulations. Now, instead of having eight months to get vaccinated, students will only have five days.
It’s a controversial topic, but Heidi Arruda thinks the change is beneficial to prevent outbreaks.
“It’s a good thing because it’s going to require students that come into the school district to have at least one of every immunization,” Arruda, the Lead Nurse for State College Area School District, said.
Here is the list of new requirements.
Before school starts this fall, students need to have at least one of each of these immunizations. Parents who don’t comply within the required timeline will need to provide proof from the doctor that there is a plan in place to get them.
“After that, we’d review their records every 30 days and remind them, as soon as they can have the second or third, if it’s a multi dose, that as soon as they can have it, they have to follow through with it,” Arruda said.
Parents still have the option to opt out. Arruda said out of 824 students, about 20 are “inadequately immunized” for one reason or another.
“It’s just making sure that those folks who can get immunized, do get immunized, so that the most medically fragile who cannot get immunized will not be as exposed,” she said.
Students who do not comply with the rules will be banned from school.
If you have any questions about the new regulations, Arruda suggest calling your child’s school nurse.